David Beckham has finally seen his long-held vision for American football triumph, as his club Inter Miami clinched the MLS Cup with a 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday. This landmark achievement caps an 11-year journey that began when Beckham first secured the option to buy an expansion franchise for $25 million back in February 2014.
The Pinnacle of a Post-Retirement Project
The symmetry of the victory was striking. The club's modern era was defined by the arrival of global superstar Lionel Messi in 2023, and it was Messi who masterminded the final, providing crucial assists from midfield. Meanwhile, Beckham, the league's original international icon, stood proudly as the victorious owner, witnessing the culmination of a project that transformed Miami into a globally recognised football brand.
While Inter Miami had previously secured the Leagues Cup, Supporters' Shield, and Eastern Conference title under Messi's influence, the MLS Cup was the trophy Beckham coveted most. It represented the ultimate validation of his decade-long investment, fraught with negotiation and intense public scrutiny.
A Family Celebration with a Notable Absence
The celebratory scenes on the pitch and in the owner's box were largely as expected. Beckham hoisted the trophy aloft, with his wife Victoria, the former Spice Girl, visibly moved beside him. Their children Romeo, Cruz, and daughter Harper shared in the joyous moment, their smiles reflecting the personal significance of the win.
However, the family portrait was incomplete. For the third significant event in recent months, their eldest son, Brooklyn Beckham, was conspicuously absent. Instead of joining the celebrations, Brooklyn chose to share a cooking tutorial on Instagram, demonstrating how to make French onion soup.
Fuel for Rumours of Familial Tension
This latest no-show adds considerable fuel to ongoing rumours of a rift within the Beckham family. Brooklyn also missed his father's knighthood ceremony and a major birthday celebration earlier this year. Reports of tensions, often linked to Brooklyn's wife, actress Nicola Peltz, have circulated for months, and public appearances of the entire family together have become notably rare.
The absence was felt even more keenly as Cruz Beckham recently posted a nostalgic throwback photo featuring himself, his brothers, and their father. Yet, on this milestone night marking the pinnacle of David Beckham's post-playing career, Brooklyn did not publicly stand with his family.
Ultimately, the night belonged to Inter Miami's historic achievement. Yet, the personal narrative for David Beckham was a complex blend of professional fulfilment and poignant personal absence, casting a subtle shadow over what should have been an unalloyed celebration.
